Erratic driver’s odd punishment

by Caitlyn Strasser, Kaneland Krier reporter
CLEVELAND—Almost every day, 32-year-old Shena Hardin drives on the sidewalk to avoid a Cleveland school bus for disabled children, claiming she is in a hurry.

Fed up with this erratic behavior, the bus driver recorded Hardin in the act. Hardin was then tried and sentenced to community service. However, it wasn’t the average community service sentence.

Hardin was forced to hold a sign that read, “Only an idiot drives on the sidewalk to avoid a school bus.” The judge also fined her $250 and suspended her license for 30 days.

Hardin stood on the side of the road holding the sign, which earned her many honks and the attention of cameras and laughing onlookers.

Some people think this punishment was too much for the woman, as it was humiliating and shaming her in front of everyone.

“I would never do something like that, but I don’t think it was right to humiliate her in front of people like that,” KHS sophomore Paulina Yep said.

“I look at it like this, does the punishment fit the crime? Did she hit anyone on the sidewalk? No. Was she an idiot for driving on the sidewalk? Yes. If this stops her from making reckless decisions in the future, then yep, it was a good punishment,” KHS history teacher Brian Aversa said.

Aversa is one of many who think this woman’s punishment was fair. If more people were punished in the same way Hardin was, would they be less likely to repeat the offense?

“She was being so reckless, she’s lucky she got off so easy. I think she should have to redo Driver’s Ed,” KHS sophomore Breanna Geller said.

The sidewalk she drove on was right next to an elementary school. Not only that, but the path she took was the fire exit for the children inside. This act could have caused a catastrophe for any children who tried to escape from a fire at the moment she drove by.

Opinions on this issue will vary, but there’s no questioning that Hardin’s punishment will serve as an example for other drivers.